January 30/99 6:53 am - Report From Poprad

Posted by Editor on 01/30/99

Report From Poprad, Slovak

Im (sorry my punctuation will be off=Slovakian keyboard tonight) back. I was looking for bottled water but all the stores closed at 1pm on Sat. So I was walking by here. The espoir race was cold at least -10C plus wind chill. Bart hopped the first barrier and rode the run-up and immediately got 10 secs lead. He kept adding and adding. The bar has been raised by the Americans. Tim Johnson won the bronze. We have to play catch up now. There was a French guy in 2nd and Tim thought he lost the sprint for third. The French rider had a flat on the last lap and (rumour) his pit crew had left that pit to watch him finish. He (rumour) crashed with the flat so Tim and the other guy thought he was being lapped and not the 2nd place rider. Crappy way to lose a silver medal. Nutso cold and yet there was still the odd bare legs and I saw 1 guy without gloves. I dont know how he squeezed the brakes. Off in search of water.

Cheers.RayEditor's Note: Ray will race tomorrow in the Elite category (the Juniors also race tomorrow). He is the only Canadian at the `Cross Worlds

Valu-Net in Trouble?

It was reported in the newspapers today that Valu-Net was being sued by the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) to the tune of $1 million for not paying promised funds to players such as Wayne Gretzky for the use of their images on telephone calling cards. Valu-Net is the company that also sponsored a cycling team last year - no word on whether they will be continuing in `99.